Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh not yet arrested, Punjab on high alert

New Delhi/Amritsar:

Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh remains at large from Punjab police and a search is underway to find him, officials said.

A massive operation has been launched to catch Amritpal Singh who, sources say, was last seen fleeing on a motorbike last night in Jalandhar.

Police arrested 78 members of his “Waris Punjab De” group, while several others were detained for questioning, officials said.

“Six to seven gunmen from Amritpal Singh are among those arrested by the police,” said Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal.

Amritpal Singh’s close aide, Daljeet Singh Kalsi, who manages the Khalistan leader’s finances, was also arrested in Gurgaon, Haryana.

A special state police team, comprising personnel from seven districts, yesterday tracked the Khalistani leader’s convoy as it made its way to tehsil Shahkot in Jalandhar.

The radical Sikh preacher, who claims to be a supporter of terrorist Bhindranwale, managed to escape the police net on a motorbike.

Authorities tightened security at several locations and suspended internet and SMS services in the state after his aides shared videos on social media claiming police were chasing them and urged his followers to gather in Shahkot.

Heightened security measures were also taken outside Amritpal Singh’s village, Jallupur Khaira, in Amritsar.

Police urged citizens to keep the peace and not share any doctored videos.

Sources say Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had discussed the plan to arrest Amritpal Singh with Home Minister Amit during a meeting on March 2.

The center sent additional forces to Punjab before police searched for him on Saturday, sources said.

The crackdown comes a month after Amritpal Singh and his supporters stormed into a police station with swords and guns for the release of one of his aides. Six police officers were injured in the clash.

The Punjab government had faced massive criticism of the law and order situation in the state after the incident.

Amritpal Singh leads “Waris Punjab De”, a radical organization founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu, who died in a road accident in February last year.

The radical Sikh preacher, who is often seen escorted by armed supporters, had openly made statements about India’s declaration of secession and the formation of Khalistan.

Officials said Amritpal Singh had close ties to Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and terrorist groups based in foreign countries.